The Obsidians

Amazon Hdwtrs/Spencer Butte
2023-03-01, 2023-03-08, 2023-03-15, 2023-03-22
NOTE: Flexible departure time from 8:15 to 8:30.
Every Wednesday since 2013 we do this hike from the Martin Street Trailhead to the summit of Spencer Butte. Compared to starting at the paved Spencer Butte parking lot, this hike has double the climbing and three times the distance. It is a conditioning hike where everyone is challenging themselves to go at a moderate or fast pace—not like the other hikes on our schedule. If this is your first time on this Obsidian conditioning hike, or hiking to Spencer Butte, you may want to call the leader to discuss the pace. If you should fall too far behind, the leaders reserve the right to have you not summit but wait and return with the group. The regulars on this hike have attained their fitness by showing up consistently and slowly improving. If you have questions, email summertrips@obsidians.org. Come a few minutes early because we leave promptly at the listed time. To get to the trailhead: Take West Amazon to Martin Street. Turn left. Drive past Kinney Park and park Martin Street near the Kiosk sign board across from Canyon Drive Street sign with hiker symbol. Please contact the leader if you have any questions.

Heceta Head / Hobbit Trail
2023-03-02
We’ll start at Washburne State Park and cross 101 to pick up the Valley Trail along China Creek. The bridge probably isn’t repaired yet, but we can check on its progress before we cross back over 101 and up through the forest on the Oregon Coast Trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse for lunch. After lunch we’ll take the Hobbit trail down to the beach and along the shore back to our cars. If the bridge across China Creek is open the hike will be 8 miles, but since it probably isn’t, it will be 6 miles.
Be prepared for slippery slopes and winter weather, as I won’t cancel unless it’s truly dangerous (my call!)
Drive is suitable for all vehicle types, and there are rest rooms at the trail head and at the lighthouse.

Ribbon to Moon
2023-03-02
Meet at the Ribbon Trailhead, Spring St. at 30th (north side of the overpass at 30th, on street parking), at 8:30. There are several options to access Bloomberg Park, Black Oak Basin, Coryell Ridge, and Moon Mountain. If the weather cooperates, we may take up to three hours walking the various routes and will be finished well before lunch. I have a new! improved! map of the area. No restrooms. There are unavoidable muddy sections.
Cold is good – the mud will be frozen.
If 30th is unsafe due to snow or ice we will reschedule.

Mt Pisgah Sunset/Moonrise
2023-03-05
Look for us by my car a row or two down from the fee box. Sunset is 6:05 and moonrise is 4:21. (The full moon is two days later.) Current plan is to take Trails 7,3, and 1 to the to. Faster hikers usually include a section of Trail 4. Email me at jbjacobsen@comcast.net if you have questions. If you don’t have a Lane County pass allow time to purchase one with Debit/Credit card (no cash) at the pay station by trailhead. With the early moonrise, perhaps someone will want to add/lead a longer approach hike if there is favorable weather for celestial viewings.

Boulder Creek Wilderness
2023-03-05
This is a small, pocket wilderness area in the North Umpqua drainage. Because the drive is a commitment and it is a backcountry hike, it is subject to cancellation if the forecast is snow, high wind or heavy rain. The leader will make this determination by March 3rd.
The area is also known for poison oak and ticks, both of which are less likely to be a problem given the time of year, but something to keep in mind. Remember, both aforementioned scourges occur at Mt. Pisgah.

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-03-07, 2023-03-14
This hike to the top of Spencer Butte takes the less traveled route from Blanton Road. We’ll cross Blanton Ridge before continuing on from the 52nd and Willamette trailhead. This option provides a good in town workout.. If the weather doesn’t co-operate we can forgo the exposed rocky steps near the top.
To get to the trailhead from 29th & Willamette continue south on Willamette. At Willamette/Donald St Intersection bear right on Willamette. Immediately bear right again on to Crest Drive. Follow signs staying on Crest for approximately 1.2 miles to the Junction with Blanton Road. Turn left on Blanton. The trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr.
Another way to get to the Blanton trailhead is to go south on Chambers until it ends at Crest Drive. Turn left on to Crest. In about ½ mile turn right on Blanton Road.

Amanda Trail to Perpetua
2023-03-09, 2023-03-25
We will carpool to Yachats and walk the Amanda Trail to the shelter at Cape Perpetua and back. It is a 7 mile hike, with just over 1,000 feet of climbing in total. The weather may be rainy, so definitely bring along your rain gear! The entire route is well marked with “Oregon Coast” trail signs. We follow 101 briefly, with the ocean on the right, then cross 101 at Windy Way. We leave the highway and are in the forest for the hike up, with intermittent views of the ocean through the trees, then head through an open conservation easement and down to the Amanda statue and storyboard. There’s then a bridge/stream crossing and fairly steep uphill for approximately 1 mile. Closer to the top there is another stream crossing (without a bridge), and the trail to the stone shelter subsequently intersects with the more heavily traveled loop at the top of Cape Perpetua. Great views! We’ll head down the way we came up; those who wish to may join in a meal in Yachats before heading back to Eugene.

Potato Hill
2023-03-09
Have appropriate clothing for cold, snow, or rain. Pack a lunch. Be fit for the trip!…If the snow is deep it will b a tough hike…

Hendricks to Alton Baker loop
2023-03-09
cancelled

Boulder Creek Wilderness Bkpk
2023-03-10 00:00 - 2023-03-12 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is an out-n-back backpack in the North Umpqua Boulder Creek Wilderness. Depart Eugene on Friday, 2.5 hour drive to the Soda Springs Trailhead east of Roseburg off OR138. Hike up Soda Springs to the Bradley Trail following a pioneer route approx. 3 miles to Pine Bench, a remnant area of grass meadows and huge old growth Sugar Pines and Ponderosas. Camp amid the giant pines. Saturday day hike 3-4 mile exploration into the Boulder Creek canyon and the Pine Bench overlook followed by a Schizzleplotz around the campfire. Sunday return hike to TH.

Get Acquainted/Ribbon Trail
2023-03-11
Meet at the Obsidian Lodge to start the hike on the Ribbon Trail to Hendricks Park and back. This is an opportunity to find out about the Obsidians, get acquainted with members, and visit our lodge. This hike through the woods has a few short bursts of steep up and down hill. Members are welcome to sign up to help answer questions.
Drive past the Laurelwood Golf Course up 27th St then at the top of the hill turn right onto Spring Blvd, a one lane road. When Spring Blvd ends at a T intersection, turn left and immediately look for the Obsidians sign and driveway on your right. Enter the driveway and follow the gravel road to the parking areas and Lodge. The Lodge is hard to find so if you want to view the map, go to the Obsidian home page. http://obsidians.org/lodgemap.htm

Amazon Creek
2023-03-11
Our 9-12 work party is a part of “Greater Amazon Shading Plan “project.
Our goal is to plant and mulch trees from Fox Hollow to Snell. The stretch is about ½ mile long.
Please meet 8:45 AM at Ridgeline Montessori school on West Amazon Parkway (it will be empty because it’s a Saturday). We will go back over the project, safety, and instructions. We’ll split into two equal groups and head north and south along the creek. The truck will be centrally located for mulch access.
DETAILS:
> Together with a members of Neighborhood Association of Southeast Eugene we’ll be planting approximately (50) bare root trees (bitter cherry, choke cherry, white alder, and cascara) along the west bank of Amazon Creek in the approximate ½ mike stretch between Fox Hollow Road and Snell Street.
> We’ll have a “planting tutorial” at 9:00 am (especially for those folks who didn’t attend the 1/21 event) and then team up/spread out to plant, mulch and water these new trees.
> City P&OS personnel will bring all the tools and supplies needed. Volunteers should just dress for the weather and wear closed toed shoes. I suggest bringing your own sturdy gloves for best comfort.

North Bank Habit Area
2023-03-11
The North Bank Habitat is near Roseburg, exit 135, Wilbur, then on North Bank Rd to the West Entrance. The drive takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The up and down loop hike has rolling—some steep & challenging hills— up to and along the ridgeline with oak savannas, meadows, and views of the Umpqua River. One can easily avoid the poison oak at this time of year. Perhaps a muddy section. We should start hiking around 9:30 and complete the hike around 2:30. It will be a steady moderate pace, gathering on the hill tops. Plan for a snack break at picnic table and a late lunch. If weather forecast is not favorable, I will change the destination to Mt. Pisgah.

Spring forward Spencer Butte
2023-03-12
Rain or shine spring forward up to Spencer Butte. Moderate-fast pace.

Basic Mountaineering Course
2023-03-13
This is the 2023 Climb School sponsored by the Obsidians and Eugene Mountain Rescue. The course runs from March 13 through April 8, 2023 and consists of four classroom sessions and two field sessions covering introduction to rock climbing and snow skills. Obsidian members and Eugene Mountain Rescue volunteers may preregister for the course by emailing Maryanne Reiter at mreiter1959@gmail.com. Open registration begins Feb 20, 2023.

GameNight!
2023-03-14
Come join us for an evening of games at the Lodge from 4:30 – 7:30 pm. By signing up, you’ll help us have an idea of about how many to expect, but you’re very welcome to show up any time throughout the evening even if you don’t sign up.

Fawn Lake
2023-03-16
Finally a break in the weather so the snow conditions should be great for a snowshoe trek to Fawn Lake which will give us some beautiful views of Lakeview Mt. If the weather report changes the date of this trip might also.

Pisgah East Side Loop & Lunch
2023-03-17
To get to the east trailhead head drive toward Pleasant Hill on hwy 58. Turn left at the 76 station on to Ridgeway Rd. The parking area is 1.7 miles down this road. We will hike to the summit on trails #2, #4 and #1 then return using trail #6. The parking lot is small but vehicles sometimes park on the road if there isn’t room. You need a Lane County pass to park but not if you park on the road.

Three Lakes Loop
2023-03-18
This outing offers varied backcountry terrain with excellent views of Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, and the Three Sisters when the weather is clear. We’ll ascend a ridge leading to Three Fingered Jack then descend to Martin, Booth, and Square lakes before returning to the trailhead.
PLEASE NOTE. Participants must be comfortable using parallel or telemark techniques to descend steeper slopes. Contact the leader prior to the trip if you are uncertain about the skills required to safely enjoy this outing.
Drivers are sometimes in scarce supply for winter trips. If you can assist with transporting skiers, please indicate your availability. This will help ensure that everyone interested in the trip can participate.

Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah Tour
2023-03-18
Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah Stewardship* and Nursery Tour
9-10:30am tour/hike : Join Jared Tarr from Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah to learn about the stewarded landscapes of the greater Mount Pisgah area and all of the good work Friends does enhancing habitat, maintaining trails and producing plant materials for restoration. This walking tour will traverse the foothills of Mount Pisgah overlooking the North Bottomlands lease area held by Friends including a spectacular view of the confluence area of the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River. We will learn about the history of volunteerism with Friends and ongoing opportunities to give back to this special place.
10:30-12 stewardship: There is the option for participants to stay to participate in the Saturday nursery work party near the parking lot.
*The park and mountain are located on the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people.
**Parking there requires a Lane County park pass for your car. Carpooling is encouraged.

Mt. Baldy on a drizzly day
2023-03-19
Mt. Baldy hike from the Martin Street trailhead.

Mt. Pisgah Spring Equinox
2023-03-20
** Meet by the bathrooms by the Pavilion. ** We may decide to have two groups. Celebrate the spring equinox, the first day of spring at 2:24pm while taking a walk on the arboretum trails. In years past we have seen fawn lilies and camus. Optional to take Trail 35 up to the main trail and perhaps take Trail 3 for a longer loop around Swing Hill. “The vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight begins to overtake the darkness and the North Pole begins to lean toward the sun again. This is the time of year when we begin to experience more life force creative energy within our minds and bodies.”

Blanton Ridge to Spencer Butte
2023-03-21
We will start on time at 6:45am. This hike to the top of Spencer Butte takes the less traveled route from Blanton Road. We’ll cross Blanton Ridge before continuing on from the 52nd and Willamette trailhead. This option provides a good in town workout.. If the weather doesn’t co-operate we can forgo the exposed rocky steps near the top.
There are 2 ways to get to the trailhead:
1. To get to the trailhead from 29th & Willamette continue south on Willamette. At Willamette/Donald St Intersection bear right on Willamette. Immediately bear right again on to Crest Drive. Follow signs staying on Crest for approximately 1.2 miles to the Junction with Blanton Road. Turn left on Blanton. The trail head is on your left in about ½ mile. Do not turn left on Southpointe Dr.
2. Another way to get to the Blanton trailhead is to go south on Chambers until it ends at Crest Drive. Turn left on to Crest. In about ½ mile turn right on Blanton Road.

New Moon Spencer Butte
2023-03-21
Spence Butte sunset at 7:26PM. Nice weather and great views. New Moon rises at 7:31 AM, but will not be visible.
We will be down at 52nd parking lot by 8:30PM.

Wild Iris Ridge Drainage
2023-03-25
For this month’s outing we’ll be in a park we haven’t been to in a while, Wild Iris Ridge, clearing drainage.
Meet at the Wild Iris Ridge Trailhead parking lot, the gravel lot on Bailey Hill Road. Work party goes from 9-12 am.
